Copa-Cogeca: Five urgent requests on EU-UK trade relations

As the EU and UK trade negotiations seem be reaching a conclusion, Europe's farmers and agricooperatives, food manufacturers, traders, and agri-food sector workers have issued the following joint statement outing what will need to be done next:

Our priority is to safeguard jobs and allow the agri-food sector to thrive. At this eleventh hour we call on negotiators to strike a comprehensive tariff and quota-free trade agreement with close harmonisation of rules, including on sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers to trade. We must strive for a level playing field, including on workers’ rights.

Whether a deal is struck or not, we have 5 urgent requests:

1. On conclusion of the negotiations, we will need immediate clarity on future UK-EU trade rules to avoid more economic turmoil and job uncertainty for a sector already badly bruised by the Covid19 pandemic.
2. The UK will leave the Single Market and the Customs Union which will mean customs procedures, regulatory burdens and rising transport costs. A no-deal scenario, with the imposition of tariffs and heavy customs requirements, will create a dire situation. Given agri-food businesses will likely feel a greater impact from Brexit than other sectors, specific measures will be needed for a smooth transition, as well as broad support from the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
3. Public authorities will need to organise quick and effective information campaigns to help businesses understand the new rules and plan their operations.
4. Workers’ rights must be protected, and businesses given the assistance they need to maintain job security for the millions of employees working in the European agri-food chain.
5. Constant dialogue with the European Commission and UK authorities, as well as with social partners and stakeholders, will be essential to respond to potential disruptions and emergencies that will emerge after 31 December 2020.

Whatever the outcome of the negotiations, we encourage the EU and UK to put any acrimony behind them in favour of a strong and productive relationship for the benefit of all.

December 9, 2020 - Copa Cogeca